Galway turn it around with terrific second-half display

A superb second half performance from Galway saw the Tribesmen overhaul a mercurial Roscommon outfit in a provincial decider that lacked nothing in atmosphere – but, more importantly, the win secured the victors their 46th Connacht senior title to draw level with Mayo on the roll of honour.

With the prolific Shane Walsh lighting up Dr. Hyde Park, kicking no less than half of Galway’s final tally – eight points, three from play – and others such as Sean Andy Ó Ceallaigh, with his inspirational 36th minute drive at the heart of Roscommon, Ian Burke, Tom Flynn and captain Damien Comer also producing when needed, the visitors were able to conjure up the answers to pass this stiff test.

For the most part, Galway had been outplayed in the first period as Roscommon picked holes in the Tribesmen’s mass defence to lead 1-5 to 0-5 at the interval – Ciaráin Murtagh netting the Rossies goal following a brilliant passage of play that ended up with Murtagh skirting the end line before cutting in to blast home on 21 minutes.

In many respects, the concession of that major seemed to jolt Galway to life and, for the remainder of a cagey first half, they outscored their hosts by three points to one. A quick free saw Ian Burke put through for a timely response to Murtagh’s goal before a super delivery from Walsh set up Burke for another classy point minutes later.

With Walsh kicking an outstanding free on the stroke of half-time – not long after Diarmuid Murtagh had struck for a point for Roscommon on the back of a fine piece of fielding from Enda Smith – Galway, amazingly, found themselves just a goal in arrears despite being out-played for long spells. The perception around the ground was that Galway were in trouble.

For one, Kevin Walsh’s men had continually coughed up possession cheaply while the final delivery to their inside forwards was wayward to say the least at times. It included a couple of efforts going needlessly out over the end line and, when added to the scatter of poor wides they had, it really was frustrating for the men in maroon and their fans.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.